Tyson and Hughie Fury were hit with UKAD bans after testing positive for nandrolone

The pair maintained the innocence over the failed tests in February 2015, claiming the adverse finding were as a result of eating uncastrated wild boar.

It took 15 months after the test before UKAD hit the pair with charges, and there were further delays amid concern over Tyson Fury's mental state.

And the final settlement was viewed by some as a compromise between UKAD's desire to apply the rules and protect clean athletes, on the one hand, and limit their exposure to expensive litigation, on the other.

Those fears appear to have been backed up after the agency responded to a Freedom of Information Act request made shortly before December's verdict by publishing its legal bill.

Getty - Contributor

Tyson Fury is looking to make his comeback to boxing after a backdated two-year drugs bans

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury steps up his boxing training with Billy Joe Saunders and Hughie Fury as he eyes return this year

It reveals UKAD paid leading London law firm Bird & Bird £576,587 and spent £1,130 in barrister fees.

It also paid out nearly £8,000 for laboratory work, bringing its total costs to £585,659.

UKAD denied that was true, and has pointed out it should be able to recoup £250,000 of its costs from its legal insurance, reducing the bill to £335,659.

Mark Robinson - The Sun

Hughie Fury failed in his attempt to beat Joseph Parker to win the world title last year

Chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: "The money spent in the Fury case shows that if we determine there is evidence of doping, we will pursue a case against an athlete, coach or doctor, regardless of their public profile or status.

"In this case, two anti-doping rule violations were upheld and two-year bans given to each athlete.

Ditch the dad

Boxing Blues

"As an arm's length body of government, we are always careful about how we spend public money, and the consistent support of the UKAD board and the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport ensures our legal decisions are made for the right reasons and not financial ones."

UKAD has recently been given a £6.1million funding boost by DCMS over the next two years, lifting its total annual budget to £11million.